Vacuum tank construction

Abstract

A vacuum tank assembly includes a vacuum tank that has a low profile and will fit in small, and particularly low height, compartments of a boat or RV. The tank is connected to a vacuum toilet and a vacuum pump during use. The tank preferably has a generally rectangular prism configuration, and has a front surface in which openings for receipt of a dip tube assembly, sewage inlet (from the toilet), and vacuum switch are provided. The dip tube assembly includes an adaptor operatively connected to the vacuum pump and an evacuator component which has a generally tubular configuration and a substantially flat open bottom closely overlying the bottom interior of the tank. A locator tab cooperates with a cut out in the tank front surface to properly position the evacuator open bottom adjacent the tank bottom.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A vacuum tank assembly comprising: 
       a plastic vacuum tank having a substantially hollow interior, and a generally rectangular prism exterior configuration, including top, bottom, front, rear, and side surfaces;  
       wherein said top surface is substantially devoid of openings, and wherein said tank has no continuous flat surface greater than 80 square inches in area;  
       a first, second and third openings in said front surface, wherein said first opening is adjacent said bottom surface; and  
       a dip tube assembly mounted in said first opening and extending into said substantially hollow interior in a position for readily withdrawing sewage in said tank adjacent said bottom surface thereof, and constructed to readily connect to a vacuum pump.  
     
     
       2. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second opening is operatively connected to a vacuum switch, and wherein said third opening is operatively connected to a sewage inlet conduit. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as recited in claim further comprising a vacuum pump and outlet conduit connected to said dip tube assembly. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein said dip tube assembly comprises an adaptor and an evacuator component, said adaptor connecting said evacuator component to an outlet conduit or vacuum pump, and said evacuator component comprising a substantially tubular evacuation portion having a substantially flat open bottom closely overlying said tank bottom surface in said tank substantially hollow interior. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as recited in  claim 4  wherein said top surface is substantially devoid of openings, and wherein said tank has no continuous flat surface greater than 80 square inches in area. 
     
     
       6. An assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said dip tube assembly comprises an adaptor and an evacuator component, said adaptor connecting said evacuator component to an outlet conduit or vacuum pump, and said evacuator component comprising a substantially tubular evacuation portion having a substantially flat open bottom closely overlying said tank bottom surface in said substantially hollow interior. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein said adaptor comprises a mounting flange and a substantially tubular rear portion extending outwardly from said mounting flange, said rear portion having at least one sealing element associated with an exterior surface thereof; and wherein said evacuator component comprises a substantially tubular connector portion having an interior surface making a substantially air and liquid-tight seal with said sealing element. 
     
     
       8. An assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said evacuator component connector portion has at least one radially extending locator tab; and further comprising at least one cut out in said tank front surface adjacent said first opening cooperating with said tab to properly orient said evacuator component in said tank. 
     
     
       9. An assembly as recited in  claim 8  wherein said locator tab is integral with said evacuator component connector portion. 
     
     
       10. An assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein said evacuator component has at least one radially extending locator tab; and further comprising at least one cut out in said tank front surface adjacent said first opening cooperating with said tab to properly orient said evacuator component in said tank. 
     
     
       11. An assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein said locator tab has a substantially polygonal cross-section and is removably mounted to said evacuator component. 
     
     
       12. A vacuum tank assembly comprising: 
       a vacuum tank having a substantially hollow interior and an exterior having top, bottom, and front surfaces;  
       a first opening in said front surface;  
       a dip tube assembly mounted in said first opening in a position for readily withdrawing sewage in said tank adjacent said bottom surface thereof, and constructed to readily connect to a vacuum pump; and  
       wherein said dip tube assembly comprises an adaptor and an evacuator component, said adaptor connecting said evacuator component to an outlet conduit or vacuum pump, and said evacuator component comprising a substantially tubular evacuation portion having a substantially flat open bottom closely overlying said tank bottom surface in said substantially hollow interior, and  
       wherein said adaptor comprises a mounting flange and a substantially tubular rear portion extending outwardly from said mounting flange, said rear portion having at least one sealing element associated with an exterior surface thereof; and wherein said evacuator component comprises a substantially tubular connector portion having an interior surface making a substantially air and liquid-tight seal with said sealing element.  
     
     
       13. An assembly as recited in  claim 12  wherein said evacuator component connector portion has at least one radially extending locator tab; and further comprising at least one cut out in said tank front surface adjacent said first opening cooperating with said tab to properly orient said evacuator component in said tank. 
     
     
       14. An assembly as recited in  claim 13  wherein said locator tab is integral with said evacuator component connector portion. 
     
     
       15. A dip tube assembly comprising: 
       an adaptor and an evacuator component, said adaptor connecting said evacuator component to an outlet conduit or vacuum pump, and said evacuator component comprising a substantially tubular evacuation portion having a substantially flat open bottom closely overlying a tank bottom surface in a tank open interior; and  
       said adaptor further comprising a mounting flange and a substantially tubular rear portion extending outwardly from said mounting flange, said rear portion having at least one sealing element associated with an exterior surface thereof, and said evacuator component further comprising a substantially tubular connector portion having an interior surface making a substantially air and liquid-tight seal with said sealing element; and  
       at least one locator tab extending radially outwardly from said evacuator component connector portion.